Politics · Italy · 10 hrs ago
Urso says Stellantis keeping plants open limits Chinese carmakers’ options in Italy
Italy’s industry minister Adolfo Urso said Chinese carmakers have not invested in the country partly because Stellantis has kept its factories open.
He told lawmakers that Chinese companies are seeking ready-to-use plants in Europe as it may become harder to export cars from China to Europe in the next two to three years.
Urso said Chinese carmakers had visited Italian sites but found no factories ready for them to take over.
Stellantis has pledged to keep its Italian plants operating, under an agreement with the government.
The source says Stellantis produced 379,706 vehicles in Italy last year, down 20% from 2024, and 340,745 in the first nine months of 2026.
It also says about 6,000 workers left Stellantis factories through voluntary exit schemes between 2024 and 2026.
Opposition lawmaker Marco Grimaldi disputed Urso’s explanation, saying the minister had promised a second carmaker and a million vehicles produced in Italy, while output remained below half that target.
Grimaldi said Chinese company BYD would invest elsewhere, after looking at sites in Italy.
The account gives no further decision or timetable for a Chinese carmaker entering Italy.
Industry Minister Adolfo Urso said Stellantis’s decision to keep its Italian plants open has left Chinese carmakers without a turnkey factory to buy.
He said Chinese companies are looking to invest in Europe because exporting from China is expected to become more difficult.
Urso said Chinese groups had visited Italian sites but found no suitable plant available.
Lawmakers and unions have challenged his explanation, pointing to Stellantis’s production decline and workers leaving its factories.
Stellantis produced 379,706 cars and commercial vehicles in Italy last year, down 20% from 2024.
- Who
- Industry Minister Adolfo Urso and lawmaker Marco Grimaldi. Chinese carmakers and Stellantis are central to the dispute.
- What
- Urso said Stellantis keeping its Italian plants open limits the availability of turnkey sites for Chinese carmakers.
- When
- Urso made the remarks while answering a parliamentary question; the article was published on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Italy.
- Why
- Urso said Chinese companies seek turnkey factories as exporting from China to Europe is expected to become more difficult.
Adolfo Urso
Marco Grimaldi
Reason Chinese firms have not invested in Italy
Adolfo Urso
Urso said Stellantis has not closed its Italian plants, leaving no turnkey factory available.
Marco Grimaldi
Grimaldi said the failure to attract another carmaker is the responsibility of Stellantis and the minister.
Stellantis and jobs
Adolfo Urso
Urso said Stellantis committed to keeping all its plants operating and not laying off workers.
Marco Grimaldi
Grimaldi said Stellantis has reduced production and blamed the company for low output at Mirafiori.
Stellantis produced more than 751,000 vehicles in Italy.
Urso said Stellantis made a pact with the government to keep its plants operating.
Stellantis produced 379,706 cars and commercial vehicles in Italy, 20% fewer than in 2024.
Stellantis produced 340,745 vehicles in Italy.
Urso explained to parliament why he believed Chinese carmakers had not invested in Italy.
- Stellantis production in Italy in 2025
- 379,706 cars and commercial vehicles
- Change from 2024
- Down 20%
- Stellantis production in first nine months of 2026
- 340,745 vehicles
- Production in 2023
- More than 751,000 vehicles
- Lawmaker questioning Urso
- Marco Grimaldi of AVS
What people are saying
Because Stellantis, unlike the other players, has not closed plants in Italy.
If other manufacturers do not arrive, it is their fault and Minister Urso’s fault.